1. The Plural Executive and the Bureaucracy
Chapter 8
The Plural Executive and the Bureaucracy
Copyright (c) 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

2. Learning Objectives
Differentiate between cabinet and plural executive forms of government
Explain the roles of the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner and Commission of Agriculture
Explain the selection process for the State Board of Education and the Railroad Commission

3. Learning Objectives
Differentiate among the functions of various types of boards and commissions
Explain how appointed boards can limit the governor’s power
Describe the purpose and process of The Sunset Advisory Commission

4. Introduction
Cabinet - A form of government where the chief executive appoints other major executive department heads
Plural Executive - A political system whereby major executive officers are elected independent of the governor
Texas plural executive - governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, and agriculture commissioner are elected independently

6. Elected Officials
The Lieutenant Governor - Many political scientists believe that the office of lieutenant governor is the most powerful position in the state
Greatest powers are in the legislative arena
Succeeds the governor in the case of death, removal, or resignation
Serves in the governor’s capacity when the latter is out of the state

7. considered legislative in nature?
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst speaks with members of the press. Why are most of the office’s powers
considered legislative in nature?
© Bob Daemmrich Photo, Inc

8. Elected Officials The Attorney General - The state’s lawyer
Defends the state and its constitution in court, and represents Texas in any litigation that the office initiates
However, despite campaign ads to the contrary, has relatively little to do with criminal prosecution
Serves a four-year term, no term limits

9. The Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has about 4,200 employees –
Employs some 400 attorneys and has 70 regional offices
Consumer Protection Division
Child Support Enforcement Division
Collections Division
Opinion Committee

10. Elected Officials
The Comptroller of Public Accounts - Chief accountant and financial officer
1) Tells the legislature how much money it has to spend
2) Finds ways to save the state money and to spend funds more efficiently
3) Fills out federal grant paperwork
Employs about 3,000 workers

11. Comptroller Susan Combs at a press conference.
Why is the comptroller an integral part of the budgetary
process in Texas?
© Bob Daemmrich/The Image Works

13. Elected Officials The Commissioner of the General Land Office
State official responsible for overseeing the leases and uses of state-owned land
Much of the state’s public land is dedicated to the Permanent School Fund (PSF) –
Market value of about $24 billion
Chair of the Veterans Land Board

14. Elected Officials The Commissioner of Agriculture
The only statewide elected executive office that is not constitutionally mandated
Created by statute in requires the candidate to be a practicing farmer
650-employee Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) –
Regulates pesticides and provides information, training, and licenses
Establishes accuracy of weights and measures

15. Todd Staples, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
(c) speaks with John Whitmire (l) of Houston and Lt.
Governor David Dewhurst (r) in the Texas Senate. Why is it important for executive officials to meet with
legislative leaders?
© Bob Daemmrich Photo, Inc

18. Appointed Offices Secretary of State
The state’s chief election officer; appointed by the governor
Interprets the election code
Provides training for election clerks and maintains a master roll of all registered voters in the state
Issues charters for businesses incorporated in the state

19. Appointed Offices Insurance Commissioner
About 1,700 employees - regulates insurance company practices
Helps ensure the companies have financial resources to cover potential claims
Recent deregulatory efforts have left most homeowners policies, as well as auto insurance rates, outside of the state’s regulatory reach

20. Appointed Offices Adjutant General
With the exception of the governor, the adjutant general is the highest-ranking state military leader
Along with 2 assistants – oversees the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the Texas National Guard
Serves a two-year term

21. The Bureaucracy Executive branch departments that carry out the law
Without myriad government agencies working in cooperation with each other, no public policy goal would ever be accomplished
Size - About 150,000 employees (not counting education workers)
Local governments in Texas employ almost three-quarters of a million additional workers

23. The Bureaucracy
Hierarchy and Expertise - In a hierarchy, there is a definite chain of command
Intended to create experts and therefore instill efficiency in government
In the past, a person needed “connections” to get a government job - the “spoils system”
Trend is toward a merit system of hiring for most government employees

24. The Bureaucracy
Accountability - The governor does not exercise direct control over agencies, and most state boards and commissions are directly accountable to no one
Are much more accountable to the legislature –
1) Depend on legislative appropriations
2) Sunset review process allows the legislature to close or modify an agency

25. Elected Boards and Commissions
Texas Railroad Commission –
Began regulating railroad transportation in Texas, however -
Over the years - gained control over pipelines, oil and gas production, and trucking
Most important – TRC’s control over oil and natural gas production levels and rates

26. Elected Boards and Commissions
State Board of Education (SBE) –
Elected board that oversees the Texas Education Agency
15 board members serve overlapping four- year terms and are elected by district
The education commissioner, the SBE forwards three suggestions to the governor

27. Administrative Boards
Parks and Wildlife Department –
9-member board appointed by the governor
Headed by an executive director, who is appointed by the board
Health and Human Services Commission – 11 agencies merged into 4
e.g. - Aging and Disability, Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Family and Protective Services, and State Health Services

28. Administrative Boards
Department of Transportation –
One of the largest agencies - about 15,000 fulltime workers
TxDOT’s executive director is appointed by the 3-member board and must be an engineer
Develops a statewide transportation plan
An appointed 6-member Motor Vehicle Board regulates motor vehicle registration

29. University Boards and the Coordinating Board
Dual system of oversight for public universities
Each system has its own board, each with members appointed by the governor
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board oversees all higher education
18-member board administers the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA)

30. Occupational Licensing Boards
Set standards for occupational licensing
Examples - Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and Board of Nurse Examiners
Most are comprised of both workers in the field and members of the public
Licensing is regulated in areas as diverse as cosmetology, dentistry, occupational therapy, polygraphy, and audiology

31. Regulatory Boards Public Utility Commission –
Regulates utility companies and sets rates
Holds public hearings on the proposed increases before setting rates
Authority over privately owned utility companies, but not those operated by city governments
Regulates electric and phone companies

32. The Sunset Advisory Commission
Created in 1977 to help determine if agencies had outlived their usefulness
5 senators appointed by the lieutenant governor, 5 representatives appointed by the Speaker, and 2 members of the public - 1 appointed by the Speaker and the other by the lieutenant governor
Full-time staff aids in research and review

33. The Sunset Advisory Commission
All nonconstitutionally mandated agencies must be renewed every 12 years
Agency completes a self evaluation then public hearings are held
The commission recommends the agency be continued, abolished, or merged
This is not binding; the legislature has the final say as to the fate of an agency